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Harrogate's Duchy College recognised at Independent Schools of the Year Awards

Pupils at Highfield Prep School (left) and Duchy College, formerly Harrogate Ladies College (right).

Duchy College in Harrogate (formerly Harrogate Ladies’ College) is celebrating multiple commendations in the Independent Schools of the Year Awards.

Duchy College has been commended in the Regional Independent School of the Year: North category, while Duchy College Prep (formerly Highfield Prep) received a commendation in the Independent Prep School of the Year category.

Principal, Joanna Fox, said:

“To gain recognition in these national awards is a fantastic achievement for our family of schools.

“We are exceptionally proud to represent our region in the North, with our pupils achieving some outstanding accolades in the past 12 months.

“We were the only Yorkshire school to feature in the TeenTech Finals, with three of our pupils going on to win in their category, our senior netball team was Yorkshire’s lone representative in the finals of the Sisters N Sport Seniors Trophy and our Chapel Choir flew the flag as the only Yorkshire school in the National Choir Competition Grand Final."

Duchy College Prep (formerly Highfield Prep) is the only North Yorkshire prep school to be commended in the Independent Prep School of the Year category.

Head of Duchy College Prep, James Savile, said:

“Our Prep School has delivered outstanding outcomes for our pupils this year and are worthy recipients of a commendation.

“Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds Week saw pupils participate in specialist workshops on resilience and leadership, fitness sessions, sporting activities, mindfulness and yoga classes. 

“Creatively, art lessons held each week with Duchy College’s Head of Art provide Prep pupils with advanced techniques and an opportunity to work consistently with an A-Level subject specialist.”

The Independent Schools of the Year Awards celebrate excellence and outstanding student experiences across the UK's independent education sector and are recognised as one of the most respected accolades in independent education. 

This year's awards attracted a record number of entries from schools across 25 categories.

Finalists for the 2026 awards will be announced in September, with the winners revealed at the Independent Schools of the Year Awards ceremony in October.

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